Top 17 Catchy Songs About Illness and 7 Blues Classics to Groove About Infection Sickness

A female DJ plays a synthesizer with a mask on.

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In music, even the most unconventional themes find their voice. From catchy tunes about the common cold to soulful blues tracks echoing the pain of infections, music beautifully captures the human experience of illness.

Join us on a melodic journey as we delve into the top 10 catchy songs about sickness and groove to 10 timeless blues classics that resonate with the enduring spirit of those who've faced illness head-on. So, let the rhythm heal and the melody soothe as we explore the unexpected harmonies of health and malady.

Infection Songs:

1. Radiohead, “Myxomatosis” Thom Yorke contemplates the myxomatosis virus, humorously incorporating it into the song.
2. Joe Jackson, “Cancer” Joe Jackson humorously lists things that "give you cancer" in this catchy Latin beat song.
3. Frank Zappa, “Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?” A comedic exploration of discomfort, questioning the source of an unusual ailment.
4. Ween, “Mononucleosis” Ween's song vividly describes the unpleasant symptoms of mononucleosis.
5. Huey “Piano” Smith and The Clowns, “Rockin’ Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu” A contagious R&B hit that likened illness to the rock 'n' roll phenomenon, blending sickness and music.
6. Tindersticks, “City Sickness” Stuart Staples' vocals convey a sense of ailment, possibly panic attacks, reflecting on life's challenges.
7. Björk, “Pneumonia” Björk's haunting song draws parallels between a friend's grief and a paralyzing illness.
8. Never Let Go of the Microscope - Enter Shikari It is a metal track that leaves a significant impact with microscopic themes.
9. Down With Disease - Phish A poignant example of a song related to illness, promoting unity against disease.
10. Pink - Lizzo A pop song that uplifts spirits.
11. The 1919 Influenza Blues - Essie Jenkins The century-old blues song highlights the lasting impact of pandemics and the fatigue caused by them.
12. In My Blood - Shawn Mendes Though unrelated to hematology diagnostics, it brings thoughts of determination and resilience.
13. All Might to Tegnell - Clifford A metal song focusing on Sweden's state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, with a unique theme.
14. Bad Blood - Taylor Swift Taylor Swift's hit, which may or may not be about blood tests but adds a medical twist.
15. In da Lab - ZDoggMD A humorous laboratory spoof of 50 Cent's "In da Club," showcasing ZDoggMD's lyrical skills.
16. Gross - Bulldog Eyes A relaxing, lo-fi lullaby named after a common task in anatomical pathology, grossing.
17. Twinkle Song - Miley Cyrus A relatable song with a catchy climax, echoing the questions and uncertainty in laboratory work.

Infection-Related Blues Songs:

1. “The 1919 Influenza Blues” Essie Jenkins' blues tune highlights the impact of the 1919 influenza pandemic.
2. “Like the 309” Johnny Cash's song intertwines themes of illness and trains in the blues tradition.
3. “Lou’s Got the Flu” Roger Miller's humorous take on illness, comparing it to life's ups and downs.
4. “I Am the Virus” Killing Joke's apocalyptic 2015 song reflects on societal decay and misery.“
5. T.B. Blues” Jimmie Rodgers' blues song reflects on his battle with tuberculosis in the early 1930s.
6. “T.B. Blues” Champion Jack Dupree's blues rendition addresses the prevalence of tuberculosis among African Americans.
7. “Pneumonia Blues” Blues song reflects the commonality of pneumonia among African Americans during the 20th century.
8. “Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu” A Huey “Piano” Smith R&B hit from 1957, merging illness and rock 'n' roll.
9. “Dust Pneumonia Blues”/“He Fades Away” Woody Guthrie's Dust Bowl ballad addresses respiratory struggles during the 1930s dust storms.
10. “Going Down Slow or Goin’ Down Slow” An iconic American song about illness and death, performed by St. Louis Jimmy Oden.